In response to a question about I’ll Have Another’s future, Reddam said there’d be no immediate decision, noting that stud season is over.

“[But] we would be open to talking about that,” he said.

The withdrawal was announced by I’ll Have Another’s trainer, Doug O’Neill, on the Dan Patrick Show and spread via the show’s Twitter feed.

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“I’ll Have Another is officially out of the Belmont,” O’Neill told the show.

“There’s the start of some tendonitis going on in [the left] front leg,” said O’Neill. “We ain’t taking any chances.”

The Belmont is a demanding race, one-and-a-half miles long.

O’Neill told Patrick that the horse may have hurt itself by a hind foot hitting the front leg, or hyper-extending during a running stride. He added that he wasn’t certain what caused the injury.

After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes last month, I’ll Have Another was favorite for Belmont and to become only the 12th horse to seal the Triple Crown, a feat not achieved since Affirmed in 1978. There have been 11 winners of a Derby-Preakness double since then, but none managed to win the Belmont.

Before the news on Friday morning, I’ll Have Another was 4/5 to win on Saturday and complete the Triple Crown, according to VegasInsider.com.

The withdrawal is certain to hurt Las Vegas bookies. Jay Rood, vice president of the Race & Sports Book for MGM Resorts International
MGM, -0.15%
said he thinks betting volume on the race will be about 25% lower than if I’ll Have Another had been taking part.

“The Belmont usually draws a traditional race crowd, rather than a novice crowd like the Kentucky Derby,” he said. “That casual crowd [that might have been lured by I’ll Have Another] now may or may not get involved.”

Las Vegas bookies started taking bets on the race Friday morning, and will pay back any bets made on the horse to win at Belmont. However some bettors may be out of luck — those who had already placed so-called futures bets, for instance wagering a few weeks ago that I’ll Have Another would win the Triple Crown, won’t get a refund.

NBC was putting a brave face on the news, despite the fact that without I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown bid, it’s likely ratings for the race will be much lower.

“While we are obviously disappointed that our show won’t feature I’ll Have Another going for the elusive Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes is still an iconic event on the sports schedule, and the NBC Sports Group broadcasts will treat it as such,” said spokesman Adam Freifeld in a statement. “We’re working now to adjust the game plan accordingly.”

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